Method and apparatus for monitoring energy storage devices

ABSTRACT

An improved battery, monitoring circuit and method for communicating with the battery is provided. Such batteries and communication methods are particularly useful in UPS systems that use such batteries to provide back-up power to electrical loads. In one aspect, performance, manufacturing, trend and/or other data are stored in non-volatile memory of the battery and are communicated to an external system such as a UPS. In another aspect, a method for communicating via single-wire interface is provided. In one aspect, a same interface is used to communicate with both conventional batteries and improved batteries having increased monitoring capabilities.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/764,343, filed Jan. 23, 2004, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FORMONITORING ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES, which is currently pending andincorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates generally to energy storage devices,and more particularly, to energy storage devices used in anUninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system.

BACKGROUND

There are numerous types of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systemsfor supplying backup alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC)power to electrical loads. These UPS systems generally use batteries ortypes of other energy storage devices that supply such power when a mainpower supply (e.g., line power) is not available. For example, backuppower is provided when power from an AC source performs outsideacceptable limits or fails altogether.

These UPS systems generally use multiple energy storage devicesconfigured in parallel or in series to provide backup power. In suchsystems, it is important to be able to accurately estimate the remainingtime period that the UPS system can supply backup power. Conventionally,UPS systems connected to energy storage devices estimate the timeremaining by modeling each of the many devices in the system, andperforming a calculation that estimates the time remaining. Forinstance, the UPS system generally models devices such as batteriesbased on what types of batteries are installed in the UPS system. Thedifferent types of batteries are identified using a number of methods.One way of identifying battery types includes is to manually (e.g., by asystem administrator) identifying each battery type, and program thebattery type into the time remaining calculation using an interface ofthe UPS.

In another instance, a resistor is included within each battery, theresistor having a resistance value that is correlated with a particulartype of battery. The UPS is configured to measure the resistance of theresistor in the battery and therefore identify the type of batteryinstalled within the UPS system. However, with each new type of batterytype provided, a new resistor value is required to uniquely identify thenew type of battery, and therefore the UPS system needs to recognize thenew resistance and battery type. Because of this method, a very limitednumber of different battery types can be supported by a particular UPS.What is needed is a more flexible and accurate way of recognizing andmodeling batteries to estimate time remaining in a UPS system.

Also, because batteries fail from time to time, either from overuse(e.g., charging and discharging cycles) or being exposed to otherconditions (e.g., an over-temperature condition) that cause thebatteries to be incapable of storing energy, it is beneficial to monitorbatteries by the UPS system to identify failed batteries that mightaffect the performance of the UPS system. Several conventional systemsmonitor such parameters as battery temperature, float voltage, etc. foreach battery, and provide alarms indicating that a particular batteryhas failed. In such systems, such monitoring is provided by either amonitoring subsystem installed in each battery or a monitor of the UPSallocated to each battery module.

SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present invention relate to improved methods andapparatuses for monitoring batteries, particularly in UPS systems. Thereare many disadvantages of current battery monitoring technologiescurrently used in UPS systems. In particular, dedicated monitor circuitsallocated to each battery are generally expensive and include complexcircuits that serve as another point of failure in the UPS system. Onetype of conventional battery monitoring system is shown and described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,274,950 by Gottleib et al. that describes such a UPSsystem having monitors integrated within each battery module. In UPSsystems wherein the monitor is not included within the battery module,when the battery module is removed from the UPS system, there is noperformance information retained with the battery itself. Because datais not retained with the battery, it is more difficult to troubleshootproblems with failed batteries. Further, inadequate battery modules maythen be erroneously installed in the problem UPS or other UPS system.

Monitor circuits that are a part of the battery module are eithertraditionally very simple, and do not provide adequate monitoringcapability or are very complex and also prove to be another point offailure in the system. For example, in one such system, only the currenttemperature output voltage and current indications are provided undercertain conditions. For example, temperature readings are provided onlywhen a switch is operated in a sensor of the battery module and ismonitored by the UPS system. Also, more complex monitoring circuitsinside the battery include many parts that are subject to failure, andincrease the cost of the batteries and overall UPS system. Conventionalmonitoring circuits that are installed in a battery use battery powerwhen running and when in storage. It would be beneficial to have abattery monitoring circuit that does not drain batteries when in storageor during normal operating period of the UPS system.

There is also a need for an inexpensive battery monitor circuit.However, a monitor is desired that provides increased monitoringcapabilities. It is a challenge to provide a cost-effective monitoringof the battery while increasing monitoring functionality. According toone aspect of the present invention, a battery monitor is provided thatallows higher-level monitor functions to be performed yet minimizescosts of monitoring battery components.

Further, there is a need for a battery monitor that stores data in apersistent manner beyond a storage period without draining the batteryin the module. In one embodiment, the battery monitor includes anonvolatile memory that stores information associated with the battery.In another embodiment, the battery is capable of reporting manufacturingdata such as serial number, manufacturing date, etc. that can be usedfor troubleshooting and management of the UPS system (e.g., identifyingfaulty batteries to ensure that they are not reintroduced elsewherewithin the system, used for inventory control and management). Inanother embodiment, the battery is capable of reporting characteristicsof the battery to an attached UPS so that the battery may be modeledmore accurately, and therefore, the UPS can more accurately predict thetime remaining based on the model.

According to another aspect of the invention, it is realized that itwould be beneficial to include an interface that works both withexisting batteries and a new battery monitor circuit without requiringadditional interface connections. In one embodiment, the UPS is capableof interfacing with current batteries without monitoring capabilitiesand newer batteries with monitoring capability using the same electricalinterface. In another embodiment, the interface is a single wire that isused typically to detect that a battery is present in the UPS system.When used with older-type batteries that use the interface for batterydetection, the interface functions in a conventional manner. When anewer-type battery is installed, the UPS system and battery are capableof communicating data with each other over this interface.

According to one aspect of the invention, a battery is provided havingan apparatus for monitoring the battery. The battery comprises one ormore cells that provide power to at least one output, and a monitor thatis adapted to monitor and store performance information relating to theoperation of the one or more cells, and which is adapted to communicatewith an external system, and that is adapted to receive a monitor signalfrom an external system, wherein the monitor is coupled to the one ormore cells and is adapted to receive power for the monitor from theexternal system. According to one embodiment of the invention, thebattery is in combination with an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)system. According to another embodiment, the monitor is adapted toperform a reset if the received power is insufficient.

According to another embodiment, the monitor includes an associatedmemory in which the monitor is adapted to store the performanceinformation. According to another embodiment, the memory is anonvolatile-type memory. According to another embodiment, thenonvolatile-type memory is an EEPROM.

According to another embodiment, the monitor is adapted to communicatewith the external system by interrupting current of received powerprovided by the external system. According to another embodiment, themonitor is adapted to receive a monitor signal from the external systemand wherein the monitor is adapted to receive power from the externalsystem via the monitor signal.

According to another embodiment, the monitor is adapted to communicatein an asynchronous manner with the external system. According to anotherembodiment, a start of communication with the battery is initiated bythe external system by interrupting the current of the power supply.According to another embodiment, the monitor is adapted to detect thestart of communication, and is adapted to receive, after the start ofcommunications is detected, a request message from the external system.According to another embodiment, the monitor is adapted to transmit aresponse message in response to the received request message.

According to another embodiment, the monitor comprises an LC-typeoscillator that provides clocking for the monitor. According to anotherembodiment, the monitor comprises a crystal oscillator that providesclocking for the monitor.

According to another embodiment, the monitor is adapted to storemanufacturing information relating to the battery. According to anotherembodiment, the manufacturing information includes a model type of thebattery, and wherein the monitor is adapted to communicate the modeltype to the external system. According to another embodiment, themanufacturing information includes a serial number of the battery, andwherein the monitor is adapted to communicate the serial number to theexternal system. According to another embodiment, the manufacturinginformation includes rating information of the battery, and wherein themonitor is adapted to communicate the rating information to the externalsystem.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the manufacturinginformation includes a manufacturing date of the battery, and whereinthe monitor is adapted to communicate the manufacturing date to theexternal system. According to another embodiment of the invention, themanufacturing information includes one or more battery constants, andwherein the monitor is adapted to communicate the one or more batteryconstants to the external system. According to another embodiment, themanufacturing information includes one or more battery constants thatrelate to the battery's expected performance, and wherein the monitor isadapted to communicate the one or more battery constants to the externalsystem.

According to another embodiment, the battery further comprises atemperature sensor, and wherein the manufacturing information includesone or more constants relating to the temperature sensor, and whereinthe monitor is adapted to communicate the one or more constants to theexternal system. According to another embodiment, the battery modulecontains a disconnect switch, a supplementary contact to sense theposition of the disconnect switch and the ability to communicate theposition to the external system. According to another embodiment, thebattery further comprises a resistor used to detect current provided bythe battery, and wherein the manufacturing information includesparameters related to the resistor, and wherein the monitor is adaptedto communicate the parameters related to the resistor to the externalsystem. According to another embodiment, the monitor is adapted to storeperformance information indicating performance of the battery. Accordingto another embodiment, the monitor is adapted to store the performanceinformation periodically.

According to another embodiment, the performance information includes acount of the number of discharges of the battery, and wherein themonitor is adapted to communicate the number of discharges of thebattery to the external system. According to another embodiment, theperformance information includes a software identifier of the monitor,and wherein the monitor is adapted to communicate the softwareidentifier of the monitor to the external system. According to anotherembodiment, the performance information includes a temperature of thebattery, and wherein the monitor is adapted to communicate thetemperature of the battery to the external system. According to anotherembodiment, the performance information includes an accumulated timethat the battery is in a charge state, and wherein the monitor isadapted to communicate the accumulated time to the external system.According to another embodiment, the performance information includes anaccumulated time that the battery is in a floating state, and whereinthe monitor is adapted to communicate the accumulated time to theexternal system. According to another embodiment, the performanceinformation includes an accumulated time the battery is in a dischargingstate, and wherein the monitor is adapted to communicate the accumulatedtime to the external system. According to another embodiment, theperformance information includes a maximum temperature experienced bythe battery, and wherein the monitor is adapted to communicate themaximum temperature to the external system.

According to one aspect of the invention, a method is provided forcommunicating with a battery module comprising acts of providing for asingle-wire interface to the battery module, receiving, at the batteryover the single-wire interface, a request for information from anexternal system, and transmitting, by the battery to the external systemover the single-wire interface, a response to the request. According toanother embodiment, the battery module receives power over thesingle-wire interface and wherein the act of transmitting comprises anact of transmitting data over the single-wire interface by interruptingcurrent.

According to another embodiment, the act of transmitting comprises anact of transmitting data asynchronously. According to anotherembodiment, the act of transmitting comprises an act of transmittingbattery model type data to the external system. According to anotherembodiment, the act of transmitting comprises an act of transmittingserial number data to the external system. According to anotherembodiment, the act of transmitting comprises an act of transmittingrating information related to the battery to the external system.According to another embodiment, the act of transmitting comprises anact of transmitting manufacturing data to the external system. Accordingto another embodiment, the act of transmitting comprises an act oftransmitting a manufacturing date of the battery to the external system.According to another embodiment, the act of transmitting comprises anact of transmitting battery constant data to the external system.According to another embodiment, the act of transmitting comprises anact of transmitting temperature data to the external system. Accordingto another embodiment, the act of transmitting comprises an act oftransmitting data relating to a temperature sensor of the battery to theexternal system. According to another embodiment, the act oftransmitting comprises an act of transmitting manufacturing data to theexternal system.

According to another embodiment, the battery comprises a resistor usedto detect current and wherein the act of transmitting comprises an actof transmitting one or more parameters that relate to the resistor tothe external system. According to another embodiment, the act oftransmitting comprises an act of transmitting a serial number of thebattery to the external system. According to another embodiment, thebattery includes a processor that executes software and wherein the actof transmitting comprises an act of transmitting a software identifierof the software to the external system.

According to another embodiment, the act of transmitting comprises anact of transmitting battery type data that identifies a type of thebattery to the external system. According to another embodiment, themethod further comprises an act of storing performance data relating tothe performance of the battery in a memory of the battery. According toanother embodiment, the act of storing further comprises an act ofstoring the performance data in a nonvolatile memory associated with thebattery. According to another embodiment, the external system is a UPS.According to another embodiment, the method further comprises an act ofreceiving, by a monitor circuit of the battery, power over thesingle-wire interface. According to another embodiment, the methodfurther comprises an act of providing for communicating to the batteryover a single-wire interface, the interface being used to provide powerto a monitoring circuit of the battery.

Further features and advantages of the present invention as well as thestructure and operation of various embodiments of the present inventionare described in detail below with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like orfunctionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most one or twodigits of a reference numeral identifies the drawing in which thereference numeral first appears. All references cited herein areexpressly incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims.The above and further advantages of this invention may be betterunderstood by referring to the following description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which similar referencenumbers indicate the same or similar elements.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system in which various embodimentsof the invention may be practiced;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a battery and monitor in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a battery and monitor in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an external monitoring system inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an external monitoring system inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a process for monitoring batteries inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a chart showing data transmission between a battery andexternal monitoring system in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 8A is a block diagram of a request message in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8B is a block diagram of a response message in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a command message format and valid command bytevalues according to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example communication in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a conventional battery module with whichUPS systems according to various embodiments may operate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a system 101 in which various embodiments of the inventionmay be practiced. For instance, system 101 may be a UPS system having asystem monitor 102 and one or more batteries 103A-103B. System monitor102 may perform monitoring of the overall UPS system 101, and maymonitor the one or more batteries 103A-103B through a communicationinterface 104. Interface 104 may be any interface used to communicatedata, however, various aspects of the invention as described in moredetail below describe an improved battery monitor and associatedcommunications interface for use in communication with a battery orother energy storage device of a UPS.

UPS system 101 may be, for example, an AC-AC or AC-DC class UPS system.UPS systems and their circuitry are well-known in the art, and areavailable commercially from a number of companies including the AmericanPower Conversion Corporation located in West Kingston, R.I. System 101may also include circuitry that, when system 101 detects a degradationor fault in power 105 being supplied to system 101, uses battery powerto supply the appropriate power output to the attached loads 106.Batteries 103A-103B may be, for example, 120V battery modules thatinclude a number of separate cells arranged in series within eachbattery module (e.g., ten 12V cells arranged in series to form a 120Vbattery module). It should be appreciated that the invention is notlimited to any particular UPS system, battery type, voltage, orconfiguration, but rather various aspects of the invention may be usedwith any type of UPS system and any battery.

According to one aspect of the invention, an improved interface isprovided for communicating between a UPS system and a battery. Accordingto one aspect of the present invention, it is desirable to use the sameelectrical interface to conventional batteries for communicating data toimproved batteries that have increased data storage, monitoring andcommunication capabilities. An advantage of using the same electricalinterface includes backward compatibility with conventional batteries,and the UPS system is easily configurable with either improved orconventional batteries. However, with improved monitoring capabilitiesof improved batteries, the UPS becomes more accurate in estimatingremaining battery time, and management of batteries is improved.

A conventional method for monitoring battery operation is shown in FIG.11. Battery 1101 includes one or more cells arranged in series to form abattery module having a positive terminal (+BATT 1103) and a negativeterminal (VMID 1107). In a UPS coupled to battery 1101, the presence ofa battery 1101 is determined by the UPS by applying an external voltageto a midpoint of the battery (battery presence signal 1102). Currentflowing through the battery is measured by sensing the voltage dropacross a small value resistor R₂ (item 1108) at terminals I⁺ (item 1105)and I⁻ (item 1106). In a conventional UPS system, resistor R₁ is mountedon a backplane of the UPS. Also, temperature of the battery is monitoredby measuring the current provided by the battery presence signal 1102.More particularly, a temperature sensitive resistance (switch thermostatTEMP 1105) is placed in parallel with a known resistance R₁ (item 1104)(e.g., 100K ohms), and therefore the measured current may be used tomeasure the resistance of the thermostat and interpolate the currenttemperature value based on the measured resistance. The components usedin battery 1101 (e.g., resistor R₂) need to have carefully chosen valuesso that accurate measurements (e.g., current, temperature) can be madeby an external system. Further, this conventional battery 1101 has nointelligence or circuit for storing operating data.

An improved battery module 201 is shown in FIG. 2. Battery module 201(also referred to more simply as battery 201) includes one or morebattery components 206A-206D (collectively, item 206) that provide powerto a UPS system (e.g., system 101). For instance, one or more batterymodules (e.g., battery module 201) may be installed as a part of a UPSsystem to provide power to one or more loads. Battery 201 may be used inconjunction with any UPS system. For example, battery 201 may be used inconjunction with the UPS system described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/764,344 filed Jan. 23, 2004, entitled “Methods and Apparatusfor Providing Uninterruptible Power,” incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety. However, it should be appreciated that battery 201and/or communication methods may be used with any type of UPS system,and the invention is not limited to any particular UPS type or system.

Components 206A-206D may be individual cells arranged in a variety ofconfigurations. In one embodiment, component 206 includes ten (10)batteries, each of which contain six (6) cells and produce 12V of DCpower. These ten batteries are arranged electrically in a serialconfiguration to provide a total 120V output. Of course, it should beappreciated that various aspects of the invention may be performed inany other battery type, voltage or configuration, and the inventionshall not be limited to any particular battery type, voltage orconfiguration.

Management and monitoring of battery module 201 is performed byprocessor subsystem 205, which may be, for example, based on a PICmicroPIC16C72 microcontroller processor available from the MicrochipTechnology Corporation, Chandler, Ariz. However, it should beappreciated that any inexpensive processor (e.g., a microcontroller) maybe used. Processor subsystem 205 executes code stored in a non-volatilememory, stores working variables in RAM memory and stores data valueswithin a nonvolatile memory (e.g., an EEPROM). For example, the PICmicroPIC16C72 processor contains 2K words of EEPROM for program code andanother 128 bytes of RAM memory. Also, 512 bytes of externalelectrically alterable EEPROM are used for persistent data storage. Asdiscussed, this memory may be used for storing performance data and/ormanufacturing data associated with battery 201. According to oneembodiment, processor 205 stores battery performance data in nonvolatilememory such that performance data is maintained with the battery as itis moved within the UPS or among other UPS systems. According to anotherembodiment, processor 205 is capable of reading manufacturing data frommemory, and providing the data to an external system (e.g., a UPSsystem). This manufacturing data may be used by the external systemidentify and track battery 201, or perform measurements (e.g.,temperature, remaining time, etc.) on the battery in a more accuratemanner.

Processor 205 includes one or more data input/output port(s), at leastone of which is used to communicate data between the UPS system andprocessor 205. For instance, processor 205 includes an output serialport and an input serial port that is coupled to a communication circuit204 which communicates the data to/from the UPS system. In oneembodiment of the invention discussed below with particularity to FIG.6, data is communicated in an asynchronous manner between battery 201and the UPS system.

Battery 201 further includes a power regulator 203 that receives powerfrom a communication circuit 204, and provides, in turn, regulated powerfor elements of battery 201 including, for example, processor 205 andcommunication circuit 204. Significantly, power regulator 203 receivespower from an external monitor through communication circuit 204, andtherefore, monitoring functions performed on battery 201 do not consumebattery power. In one embodiment, battery 201 also includes an interface202 that is used in lieu of the battery presence connection to the UPSsystem (e.g., system 101) as is used in conventional batteries. Allcomponents in 201 may be referenced to system power return, VMID.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a battery module 301 according to oneembodiment of the invention. Battery module 301 is functionally similarto battery 201, and battery module 301 includes a number of components.Similar to battery 201, battery includes a number of battery elementsthat, when arranged, form a single power supply. In battery 201, batterycomponents are 12V batteries arranged serially to form a 120V powersupply. Battery module 301 includes, within a housing of the battery, abattery monitor 304 that monitors battery performance.

Battery monitor 304 accepts a power supply/monitoring interface 303 froma UPS system using return through VMID (which is the battery return)(e.g., system 101). Interface 303 may be electrically similar to that ofa conventional interface 1102 as shown in FIG. 11 as discussed above.More particularly, interface 303 is a 12V voltage and communicationsignal provided by the UPS system used to detect the presence andoperating temperature of a battery module and other functions using VMIDas return. In one embodiment, interface 303 allows the communication ofinformation between battery module 301 and a UPS system with whichbattery module 301 is associated. Battery module 301 includes acommunication circuit 305 that receives the 12V power signal, and iscapable of receiving and transmitting data over the same interface. Inone embodiment, both data is received and transmitted to the UPS systemover a single wire interface—the same single wire interface thatprovides power to the battery monitor 304.

Component power regulator 306 has enough capacitance to hold up voltageso that the 5V regulator maintains the correct voltage on processor 309to allow processor 309 to operate with the dropouts on the powersupply/monitoring interface 303 when communication is in progress. Thedata transmission rate and message length may be adjusted to allowprocessor 309 to receive and transmit data without losing power. Theload of the processor 309 and rest of Battery Monitor 304 set thecurrent on condition of the power supply/monitoring interface 303.

Battery monitor 304 may include a connection to the mid-point of batterycell components 302. This mid-point may be the electric center ofcomponents 302, but it should be appreciated that other voltages can bemonitored. This voltage signal is passed through a resistance R₁ (item313) to a transistor T₁ (item 310). T₁ is coupled to the power input ofbattery monitor 304 through resistor R₂ (item 311). When power isremoved to communication circuit 305, power is removed from T₁, whichopens, and therefore, there is no load on components 302 when batterymodule 301 does not receive power through interface 303. That is, whenbattery module 301 is removed from its associated UPS (e.g., during astorage period), no load is present on the battery from battery monitor304.

Processor 309 is similar in function to processor 205 as discussed abovewith respect to FIG. 2, and may include an associated memory 307. Memory307 may be located within the same integrated circuit as processor 309,or may be a separate memory element. Also, memory 307 may be capable ofstoring data in a persistent way. In one embodiment, memory 307 is anonvolatile memory that is capable of storing one or more performancedata items and/or manufacturing data items associated with battery 301.In another embodiment, memory 307 may be an EEPROM. However, it shouldbe appreciated that other types of memory may be used, and the inventionis not limited to any particular memory type or configuration.

Processor 309 communicates data to/from battery module 301 via acommunication circuit 305. Circuit 305 receives one or more data outputsand provides one or more data inputs to processor 309. In oneembodiment, circuit 305 receives a serial output (ASYNC OUT) fromprocessor 309 and provides a serial input (ASYNC IN) to processor 309.In one embodiment, data is transmitted to the UPS system in anasynchronous manner. That is, there is no clock maintained betweensender (battery) and receiver (UPS system) and data is not transmittedat a particular defined point, but rather messages are transmitted atany point in time, and timing (clock) is recovered from the receivedsignal.

Generally, timing information is extracted from asynchronous messages bydetecting start and stop bits that delimit each asynchronous message. Inone embodiment, data is transmitted as 8 bit words using one start andstop bit. Although messages may be transmitted asynchronously, it shouldbe appreciated that other communication methods may be used.

Processor 309 also receives a clock signal from clock circuit 314, andclock circuit 313 may include an RC oscillator to reduce cost. Tooperate in this manner, processor 305 may recalibrate timing on everyreceived command's start bit. Recalibration is possible, for example, ifafter receiving a start bit, a logical one must be received and is usedas one baud period to decode the rest of the data as discussed furtherbelow with respect to FIG. 7. Alternatively, a crystal oscillator may beused to provide clocking as is known in the art.

Processor 309 receives inputs from one or more sensors 308 that provideindications relating to the performance of battery 301. Sensors 308 mayinclude, for example, a temperature sensor (e.g., a thermistor) todetect temperature within a housing of battery 301. For instance, thethermistor may be placed in thermal contact with one or more portions ofbattery module 301 (e.g., one or more cells) to detect operatingcondition of the cell. Other sensors may be included within battery 301.

Battery module 301 may include a switch 315 used to disconnect the powerfrom the UPS. Switch 315 includes a sense contact which is connected tobattery monitor 304 and measured by the processor 309. R4 316 isconnected to the output of the regulator 306 and functions as a pull-upresistor for the disconnect switch sense 315.

The UPS system may, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention, include additional circuitry to communicate with the batterymodule (e.g., battery 201, 301). FIG. 4 shows a monitor 406 capable ofcommunicating with an improved battery, such as, for example, batterymodule 301 via battery monitor 304. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, monitor circuit communicates data by interrupting current toeach battery in a pattern. In this manner, a monitor circuit (e.g.,monitor 406) can use the same electrical interface as conventionalbatteries while being able to communicate information to/from improvedbatteries.

More particularly, monitor 406 receives performance and/or manufacturingdata from the battery over the standard interface. For instance, monitor406 may receive the battery's serial number, manufacture date, thenumber of discharges, a current state of health, battery operatingtemperature, and other information from the battery over this interface.In this manner, an integrated system is provided for reading batterypresence, operating conditions and runtime of the battery using a singleinterface. Because, in one embodiment of the present invention, a singleline is used to communicate to/from the battery, the number ofconnections to the battery is minimized. Performance informationretrieved from the battery is then communicated to the UPS systemprocessor which may be processor 401 as shown in FIG. 4, or monitor 406may be in turn coupled to another processor (e.g., an overall monitorprocessor associated with the UPS system).

As shown in FIG. 4, monitor 406 connects to each battery via a separateconnection (interface 407A to N) each of which is used to receive andtransmit information to/from each battery. Having a separate connectionto each battery module 301 allows isolation of faults between modules.As discussed above with reference to FIG. 3, the power supply/monitoringinterface 303 is coupled the communication circuit 305 of each batterymodule 301. Such an interface 303 of each battery module (e.g.,batteries 405) may be coupled to interface 407A to N. In one embodiment,interface 407(A) may be a single wire from each battery module.

As discussed, monitor 406 may be configured to monitor more than onebattery module. In one embodiment, monitor 406 includes a processor 401that monitors each of its attached batteries. Processor 401 sends one ormore request messages to one or more batteries, and receives associatedresponses. Processor 401 includes an associated memory that is adaptedto store data received from batteries (e.g., batteries 201, 301). Also,processor 401 may be capable of performing advanced monitoring functionssuch as determining whether an alarm should be set based on a measuredvalue of a battery, determining remaining time for a UPS power circuitbased on the batteries configured for that circuit, etc. Further,processor 401 may be accessible to a system administrator via anoperator console (not shown) or network management system (also notshown) to provide indications such as battery temperature, the number ofdischarges, historical information or other information relating tobattery operation (e.g., the number of discharges, the maximum operatingtemperature, etc.) for troubleshooting and maintenance purposes.

Processor 401 communicates with each battery module via a interfacecircuit 403 that receives requests from processor 401 and multiplexesrequests to individual batteries 405 over interface 407. Monitor 406also uses interface circuit 403 that receives responses from batteries405 and passes these responses onto processor 401. According to oneembodiment of the invention, communication is selected to only onebattery at a time. In this embodiment, processor 401 sends a request fordata (e.g., voltage, temperature, or other store data) and waits for thecorresponding battery to respond. After this response is received, theprocessor selects the next battery to be monitored. Such an examplecommunication is shown and discussed below with respect to FIG. 10.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a interface circuit 501 according to oneembodiment of the invention. Interface circuit 501 is one possibleimplementation of monitor 401, and interface circuit 501 includes anumber of components. More particularly, interface circuit 501 includes,for each battery, a battery signal circuit (item 520A, for example) thatconditions the output signal to the battery as well as conditioning thereceived response signals. Circuit 520A receives an input signal fromthe battery modules (e.g., interface 508) and in one embodiment,communicates information to the battery modules using the sameinterface. In another embodiment, data is communicated back and forthto/from the battery modules over a single wire.

Interface circuit 501 provides data to the processor via ASYNC IN line505 and provides data to the battery modules via ASYNC OUT line 506. TheASYNC IN circuit of the battery module includes a transistor that isresponsive to the voltage drop when the current is interrupted by themonitor circuit being driven by ASYNC OUT from processor 401. That is,when the monitor circuit transmits data, the current provided on the 12Vsupply drops to substantially zero current. When the current drops, theprocessor of the battery detects a logical “1”, and when the current ispresent, the processor detects a logical “0”. The ASYNC OUT circuitdirects power into interface 508 whenever ASYNC OUT from the processor401 is low or open (which is the state of the processor 401 when theprocessor is unpowered or reset).

Interface circuit 501 senses the state of current flowing in interface508 by measuring the voltage across R2 513 by setting current flowcondition=“1” by turning on transistor T2 509 which applies voltage onR5 516 which is a voltage greater than REF into comparator 504 whichsets a “1” on ASYNC IN 505 going into processor 401. Then the current isinterrupted either by the communication circuit 305 by disconnectingload off battery monitor 304 (e.g., all load) when ASYNC OUT is set to“0” by processor 309 or when T2 511 is open. The current is interruptedturning off transistor T2 509 which drops voltage on R5 516 which is avoltage less than REF into comparator 504 which sets a “0” on ASYNC IN505 going into processor 401.

Interface circuit 501 drives the state of current in Interface 508 byprocessor 401 driving ASYNC OUT to “0” which turns off transistor T3 510which in turn turns off T2 511 setting the current off which is a “0” onInterface 508. In battery module 301, communication circuit 305 detectsthe drop in voltage and drives ASYNC OUT into processor 309 to “0”state. Interface 508 is set to “0” state by the processor 401 drivingASYNC OUT to “0” which turns on transistor T3 510 which in turn turns onT2 511 setting the current on which is a “0” on Interface 508. In thebattery module 301 communication circuit 305 detect the full voltage anddrives ASYNC OUT into processor 309 to “1” state.

According to one embodiment, interface circuit 501 also includesmultiple battery signal A to N each one of which is connected to aninterface 508 each one of which is connected to power supply/monitoringinterface 303 of a Battery Module 301. Each of the T2 509 from batterysignal circuits 520 is connected to one of the inputs of the analogmultiplexer 502 and any of the inputs are selected by processor 401 toconnect to comparator 504, which reads data coming from the selectedbattery module 301. Each of the T3 510 from battery signal circuits 520is connected to one of the outputs of the digital demultiplexer 503 andany of the inputs are selected by processor 401 to connect to comparator504, which drives data coming to the selected battery module 301.

Processor 309 includes a circuit to reset processor 309 when the voltagesupplied to processor 309 (e.g., from power supply/monitoring interface303) goes low or has not yet risen or a delay after the voltage comesinto an operating range.

A start bit (zero voltage) is detected as a low (as the time to be setas the transmission bit rate) followed by a high to allow the low tohigh transition to be the start bit which is the transmission bit rateof the following data. The transmission rates of communication circuitsof the UPS (e.g., UARTS in the UPSs monitor or system processor) arefixed by the crystals which run these circuits (e.g., crystalsassociated with the microprocessors of the UPSs system module). Thus,the battery and UPS system may operate with different transmission ratesand may be capable of communicating.

The UPS system processor (or processors) may monitor the presence andstatus of specific battery modules separately, and information from eachbattery is collected and coordinated in the UPS system processor wherethe data is stored and used for alarms, time remaining calculations,inventory management functions or other functions. The UPS systemprocessor communicates with the battery modules by monitoring andinterrupting current to the battery module. In one embodiment, eachbattery module receives a command from the UPS processor, and inresponse, provides a response to the command. According to oneembodiment, either the monitor or UPS system monitor may includecircuitry to particular batteries from communicating with the UPS overthe single-wire interface, so that a communication fault in a particularbattery does not affect monitoring of any other battery.

FIG. 6 shows a process 600 for monitoring batteries in accordance withone embodiment of the invention. In particular, a monitor (e.g.,monitors 406) of the UPS is capable of requesting and maintainingperformance information relating to one or more batteries (e.g.,batteries 405). At block 601, process 600 begins. At block 602, amonitor (e.g., monitor 406) sends a request to a currently selectedbattery. For instance, the battery may be selected by a multiplexercircuit (e.g., multiplexer 403 or analog multiplexer 502). The requestmay be in the form of a request message (e.g., a packet) as discussedbelow with reference to FIG. 8A.

At block 603, the selected battery receives and processes the requestand in turn, generates a response. This response may also be in the formof a message which is transmitted to the monitor. One form of a responsemessage is discussed below with respect to FIG. 8B. At block 604, themonitor proceeds to the next battery being observed by the monitor.

As discussed above, data may be read periodically from each battery.However, some data may be read at different times (e.g., when the UPSsystem is powered up or when a new battery is installed). For example,history data may be read during a power up period or when a new batterymodule is installed, and thereafter the history data can be synchronizedon a regular basis. Therefore, data may be read from the battery eitheras a regular update that recurs at some frequency, or data may be polledfrom the battery depending on the state of the UPS system or functionbeing performed by the UPS system.

As discussed above, data may be transmitted asynchronously between abattery and an associated monitor circuit or UPS system processor. FIG.7 shows an example format of the data transmission conducted between thebattery and an external monitoring system in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. Chart 700 shows how current can be used tocommunicate information over a single wire interface between a batteryand a UPS. In chart 700, data transmission starts at time t₀ when eitherthe battery or the UPS system transitions the current to zero (a logical“1”) indicating the start of the transmission. In one embodiment of theinvention, a logical “1” is transmitted, when the current drops to 0,and a logical “1” is detected by a receiver of the data that monitorsthe current flow. For example, according to the waveforms shown in Chart700, an 8-bit data word of “111001101” is transmitted by alternatelyadjusting current flow. As discussed above, the signal may beasynchronous in that clocking is obtained by extracting it from thestart bit or bits included in the data word.

As discussed, data may be transmitted in the form of two byte words thatare formatted into a request message and/or a response message. FIG. 8Ashows an example format of a request message according to one embodimentof the invention. As shown, request message 801 includes a commandportion 802 and a parameter portion 803. In another embodiment (notshown), request message 801 includes an error checking information foruse in error checking (and/or correcting) the transmitted data words. Inone embodiment of the invention, portions 802 and 803 may each be onebyte in length.

In general, command 802 indicates the command to be executed by thebattery. For example, there may be associated commands for writing,selecting, and reading particular operating data and/or manufacturingdata associated with a battery module. In one embodiment of theinvention, acceptable commands are listed in FIG. 9 as described furtherbelow.

FIG. 8B shows an example format of a response message according to oneembodiment of the invention. As shown, response message 804 includes aparameter portion 805 and a parameter portion 806. In one embodiment ofthe invention, portions 805 and 806 may each be one byte in length.According to one embodiment of the invention, acceptable responses tocommands are listed in table I as further described below. As discussed,parameter 805 may include information identifying the command type beingresponded to, and parameter 806 may include data (e.g., manufacturingand/or performance data) provided in response from the battery.

FIG. 9 shows an example command message format that may be used in arequest message (e.g., request message 801) according to one embodimentof the invention. In one embodiment, a command 901 includes a commandportion 902, battery address portion 903 and an end bit (e.g., a bithaving a value of logical “1”). As discussed, commands may include areset command that resets battery communication, a write memory commandthat causes an identified battery to write to a memory location, a readmemory command, a read temperature command, a read voltage command, aread code revision command, or any other performance and/ormanufacturing parameter.

Command portion 902 may include a number of valid command identifiersthat instruct the battery to perform various commands as discussed aboveand as listed in table 904. Battery address 903 may, in one embodiment,include three bits that identify eight (23) different batteries. Thisallows, for example, the UPS system and/or monitor to write to a memoryof a particular battery identified by address 903. Some commands, suchas the “READ” type commands shown in table 904 may be sent to allbatteries and replied to by all batteries.

TABLE I Corresponding Response Packet [Byte 1] [Byte 2] Operations [x xx x x x x x] [x x x x x x x x] Memory Management SELECT ADDRESS [0 0 0a₈ 0 0 1 1] [a₇ a₆ a₅ a₄ a₃ a₂ a₁ a₀] READ CURRENT [0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1] [d₇d₆ d₅ d₄ d₃ d₂ d₁ d₀] ADDRESS WRITE CURRENT [0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1] [d₇ d₆ d₅d₄ d₃ d₂ d₁ d₀] ADDRESS Request for Monitored Parameters SEND BATTERY [00 0 0 1 0 1 1] [d₇ d₆ d₅ d₄ d₃ d₂ d₁ d₀] VOLTAGE SEND [0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1][d₇ d₆ d₅ d₄ d₃ d₂ d₁ d₀] TEMPERATURE Request Other Information SENDFIRMWARE [0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1] [d₇ d₆ d₅ d₄ d₃ d₂ d₁ d₀] REV. Reserved forDebug and Factory SEND MEASURED BIT [Bit Width Low Byte] [Bit Width HighByte] WIDTH

As shown above in Table I, a corresponding response message (e.g.,message 804) can have a number of formats depending on the command towhich the response message applies. As shown in FIG. 8B, a responsemessage 804 may include parameter 805 and parameter 806 each of whichmay be one byte in length. In one embodiment of the invention, the firstbyte identifies the command type to which the response message 804applies, and the second byte (parameter 806) corresponds to the data inresponse to the command. For example, when the command is a read commandfor a particular address, voltage, temperature, or other data, parameter806 of the response message includes the data associated with theparameter being read.

As discussed, data stored in the battery may relate to performanceinformation relating to battery operation or manufacturing dataassociated with the battery. Performance information stored may includehistorical data which is data that is maintained during discharge,recharge and floating periods of the battery. Performance informationmay also include trend data which presents a profile of a battery'shealth over time. The batteries may also store manufacturing data whichis data that is stored during the manufacturing process of the battery.

As discussed above, data may be stored in a nonvolatile memory of anassociated battery module. According to one embodiment of the invention,manufacturing data and/or other constant data is stored in nonvolatilememory of the battery. Manufacturing and other constant data may bestored in the memory of the battery in the example format as shown inTable II below. The example format includes 80 bytes of data and 2 bytesof checksum data as shown below:

TABLE II Location - Byte# Name Format Description 0-3 Shunt ResistanceFloating Point Calibrated resistance of current shunt 4-7 Max Whr 32 bitInteger WHr rating of this battery module 8-9 Max Pwr 16 bit IntegerMaximum power this module can supply. 10-13 AWhrA Floating Point Batteryconstant 14-17 AWhrB Floating Point Battery constant 18-21 AWhrCFloating Point Battery constant 22-25 BVSV0 Floating Point Batteryconstant 26-29 BVSV1 Floating Point Battery constant 30-33 BVSV2Floating Point Battery constant 34-37 BVK1 Floating Point Batteryconstant 38-41 BVK2 Floating Point Battery constant 42 TmpMConst  8 bitinteger Slope correction factor for thermistor 43 TmpBConst  8 bitinteger Offset correction factor for thermistor 44-59 Serial NumberASCII String Battery Module serial number 60-71 Model Number ASCIIString Battery Module number 72-79 Mfg Date ASCII String Date ofmanufacture of battery module 80-81 Checksum 16 bit Integer Checksum forbytes 0 thru 79

As is shown above in Table II, the battery may store a calibratedresistance of the current shunt resistance. Because the resistance valuemay be stored in memory versus requiring a specific resistance value foreach battery, less accuracy is required in selecting shunt resistors foreach battery. That is, the UPS system can read the shunt resistance andadjust its measurements based on the specific battery type accordingly.

Further, the battery may store ratings of the battery such that they maybe read by a UPS system and therefore automatically included in the UPSstime remaining calculation without operator intervention or additionalprogramming steps. Further, because rating information can be stored ina number of different types of batteries having different ratinginformation, the UPS system can therefore work with many different typesof batteries having different ratings and still perform the remainingtime calculation without operator intervention. Further, the battery maystore battery constants that relate to the expected performance of thebattery which can be used to estimate battery capacity. Conventionalsystems generally make assumptions that estimate the performance of eachbattery. To provide a more accurate calculation of time remaining in,battery performance may be measured more accurately during manufacturingand stored in memory of the battery and this stored information may beused to more accurately predict batteries performance in the field.

Constant information may also include information that relates to one ormore sensors (e.g., a thermistor) that perform measurements within thebattery. In conventional batteries, components need to be accuratelyselected so as the UPS may perform identical functions on every possiblebattery that may be installed in the UPS system. By storing particularvalues associated with sensors of the battery, a UPS may read thisinformation and perform more accurate measurements as a result.

As discussed above, other manufacturing data may be included fortracking purposes, inventory control, or troubleshooting. For example,the serial number of the battery may be stored in battery memory, andtherefore this value can be read by a UPS system using the variouscommunication methods described above. Therefore, a particular batterymay be tracked within different UPSs (e.g., through a network managementstation that communicates with each UPS, for example) to identifybatteries as they are installed in one or more UPS systems.

Further, other manufacturing data like model number is useful fortracking particular models within each UPS. Further, the UPS system maybe programmed to perform differently with certain models versus othermodels of batteries. A date of manufacture of the battery module mayalso be stored which is significant when determining when to replacebatteries within the system (for example, batteries may be rated for aparticular age and therefore older batteries may need to be replacedsooner than more recently-manufactured batteries). The example dataformat may also include a checksum or other error correction informationthat verifies the integrity of the data.

Historical data may also be stored in memory of the battery module.According to one embodiment of the invention, historical performancedata may be stored in nonvolatile memory. Table III below shows anexample format of historical data that is stored in the memory of abattery module.

Historical data is statistical data relating to battery operation thatthe UPS maintains over time, and may be updated periodically. Forexample, historical data may be updated every 2 minutes during dischargeof a particular battery module, every 15 minutes during a rechargeperiod and every 12 hours while the battery is floating. The exampleformat in Table III includes 20 bytes of data and two bytes of checksumdata as shown below:

TABLE III Location - Byte# Name Format Description 100-101 DayUpdated 16bit Integer Day index when history last updated 102 Discharges  8 bitInteger Count of complete discharges 103 CalFactor  8 bit Integer %health of battery. 104-105 Absolute WHr 16 Integer State of charge ofthe battery 106-109 Time Charging 32 bit Integer Accumulated timecharging (Secs) 110-113 Time Floating 32 bit Integer Accumulated timefloating (Secs) 114-117 Time Discharging 32 bit Integer Accumulated timedischarging (Secs) 118 Max Temperature  8 bit Integer Maximumtemperature measured by battery module 119 Unused  8 bit IntegerReserved 120-121 Checksum 16 bit Integer Checksum of bytes 100 thru 119

As is shown above in Table III, the battery may store historicalperformance information such as the number of complete dischargesexperienced by the battery. The number of discharges may be indicativeof the use of the battery, and this number may indicate when theparticular battery should be replaced. For instance, batteries may berated for a certain number of discharge cycles, and therefore a morerecently manufactured battery having a greater number of dischargesshould be replaced prior to an older battery experiencing less dischargecycles. The battery may also include a determination on its own health,and therefore may store in memory an evaluation of its health which canbe obtained by the UPS system and used to determine whether or not thebattery should be used, replaced, or isolated from the UPS system.

The current state of the charge of the battery may also be stored inbattery memory. This information may be used in association withinformation obtained from other batteries to determine the amount oftime remaining on the UPS system.

The battery may store other historical data that may indicate thehistorical use of the battery. For instance, a time charging parametermay be used to track the accumulated time in which the battery wascharged (e.g., the total number of seconds in which the battery remainedin the charging state). Further, a time floating parameter may be usedto record the accumulated time that the battery remained in a floatingstate. Also, the battery may track the time that the battery remained ina discharging state. Significantly, performance parameters are storedand retained with the battery, and therefore travel with the battery asthe battery moves between UPS systems.

The battery may also maintain a maximum temperature parameter thatrecords the maximum temperature experienced by the battery module.Significantly, this temperature parameter is maintained with thebattery, and therefore is persistent if the battery is moved to anotherUPS system. The example data format as shown in Table III may alsoinclude checksum or other error correction that verifies the integrityof the data.

Trend data includes data that defines a profile of the battery's healthover time. The data is periodically stored, creating a snapshotperiodically during battery operation. For example, a snapshot isrecorded every 2 weeks when the battery is installed and operating. Inone embodiment, the battery stores the last 50 readings (2 years worthof data) in a circular buffer of the battery. By reviewing the trenddata, a gross profile of the battery module's life can be obtained. Inone embodiment, 250 bytes of data (5 bytes time 50 sets of readings) isstored.

In the example shown below in Table IV, each set contains the followingdata:

TABLE IV Byte# Name Format Description 0-1 Week Indentifier 16 bitInteger Identifies a week when this set of data was stored. 2 #Discharges  8 bit Integer Snapshot of discharge counter 3 CalFactor  8bit Integer Snapshot of % health of battery. 4 Max Temperature  8 bitInteger Snapshot of Max temperature measured by battery

As shown above in Table IV, certain data may be stored that isindicative of a battery's health over time. For instance, data such asthe number of discharges of the battery, the percentage of health of thebattery as measured by the battery, and the maximum temperatureexperienced by the battery. For these parameters, it may be useful tosee their values over time, and therefore these values may be stored atparticular intervals (e.g., weekly) in non-volatile memory.

In one embodiment of the present invention, sets of the data formatshown above in Table IV are stored as shown below in Table V:

TABLE V Byte# Name Format Description 199 Next Set Pointer 8 bit IntegerIdentifies start of circular buffer 200-204 Set 1 5 byte set First set205-209 Set 2 5 byte set Second set — — 445-449 Set 50 5 byte set Lastset

In the example data sets shown above in Table V, the battery stores 50weekly readings (approximately two year's worth of data) in a circularbuffer of the battery. As is shown above in Table V, the memory includesa pointer that identifies a starting point of the circular buffer. Thebuffer includes one or more sets (e.g., 50 sets) that are stored weeklyin memory for one or more parameters. Although the data sets shown abovemay be stored weekly, any period may be used, and the invention is notlimited to any particular period. Further, other parameters may betrended and the invention is not limited to the particular parametersdiscussed above with reference to Table IV, or the number of data setsshown above in Table V.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the monitor issuesa request to each battery module and receives a response in anasynchronous manner. The UPS system processor is capable of requestinginformation on a periodic or as needed basis to each battery module,depending on the necessary function being performed by the UPS systemprocessor.

FIG. 10 shows a diagram of a communication sequence according to oneembodiment of the invention. As discussed above with reference to FIG.3, there is a power/communication line connection that couples themonitor (or UPS system processor) to the midpoint of each batterymodule. This connection provides return voltage from the midpoint ofeach battery module that may be used to monitor each module. Power(e.g., +12V) is supplied to the battery module which is in turn used topower the monitor circuit of the battery. Both the battery monitor andexternal monitor sense current flow as a logic 1 and interrupted currentas a logic 0, resulting in a half duplex protocol.

Both the battery module and external monitor can interrupt the currentflow to create a start bit and a following ASYNC communication byte. Inone embodiment, the external monitor initiates communications and thebattery module monitors the power supply line for an input startingpulse. Data may be then communicated serially using binary ASYNCcommunication. Other types of communication may be used. In oneembodiment, data is transmitted at 2400 Baud, 1 start bit, 8 bit noparity, 1 stop bit, half duplex with the external monitor acting as amaster by initiating all communication.

FIG. 10 shows a communication between a monitor processor (e.g.,processor 309 or a UPS system processor) and a battery. In oneembodiment, the processor sends a command packet 1 (item 1001) to afirst battery and after a time T₃, the battery responds with a responsepacket 1 (item 1002). As shown in more detail in FIG. 10, the commandpacket 1 (1001) includes a transmission of two bytes of data limited bystart and stop bits. A first byte 1005 is transmitted, and at some timeT₂ later a second byte 1006 is transmitted to the battery. The two-bytecommand packet may be a request packet as discussed above with referenceto FIG. 8A.

After a time T₃, the battery responds with response packet 1 (item 1002)that includes 2 bytes of information). More particularly, the batteryresponds with a first byte 1007 followed by a second byte 1008 at timeT₅ later. In one embodiment, bytes 1 (1007) and byte 2 (1008) aredelimited by start and stop bits.

As shown in FIG. 10, the external monitor sends a two-byte command anddata set to the battery module, and the battery module responds with atwo-byte format, echoing the command and including the requested data.In one embodiment, the master processor (external monitor) sends acontrol byte and a data byte to the slave processor (battery monitor) toread data or memory data from all battery monitors. The master processorcan also send command and data to send data to be stored in thenonvolatile memory storage in the battery monitor circuit. Temperatureand center voltage of the string of the battery monitor can be read andused by the UPS system (either the monitor processor or UPS systemprocessor) to indicate faults or potential faults. As discussed, thenonvolatile memory storage in the battery monitor circuit may be used tostore and retrieve constants that are associated with that batterymodule, such as, for example, serial number, current flow history,constants for battery runtime algorithm, calibration of sense resistor,battery condition (such as a shorted cell, for instance), and otherparameters.

In Table VI below, are listed some example periods that may be used fortransmitting messages according to one embodiment of the invention. Forexample, T₁ defines the baud rate at which data is transmitted from themonitor processor to the battery. Time period T₂ defines a time betweenthe transmission of byte 1 and byte 2 from the monitor processor to thebattery. Period T₃ defines the time between the monitor processorcommand packet and the response packet transmitted by the batterymodule. Period T₄ describes the transmission rate of the battery module.Period T₅ defines the time between the transmission of byte 1 and byte 2from the battery module to the monitor processor. Period T₆ defines thetime between the end of the response packet transmitted by the batterymodule and a new command packet subsequently issued by the monitorprocessor. The period T_(PROC) defines a packet length of the commandpacket issued by the monitor processor. T_(B) defines the battery modulepacket length set from the battery to the monitor processor.

TABLE VI Time Description Minimum Nominal Maximum T₁ Monitor processorbaud 416.67 μs rate period T₂ Time between monitor processor (MP) Byte1and Byte2 T₃ Time between monitor   2 ms   6 ms processor command packetand battery module response packet T₄ Battery module baud rate −0.5% T₁+0.5% period T₅ Time between battery 1.5 ms 5.5 ms module Byte1 andByte2 T₆ Time between battery module response packet and new commandpacket T_(PROC) Monitor processor packet length = (16 + 4) * T1 + T2T_(B) Battery module packet length = (16 + 4) * T4 + T5

It should be appreciated that the timing requirements identified aboveare only examples, and that other timings (e.g., transmission rate,response times, etc.) may be used. The invention is not limited to thetiming parameters outlined above.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention can beimplemented in any of numerous ways. For example, the above-discussedfunctionality for monitoring energy storage devices can be implementedusing hardware, software or a combination thereof. When implemented insoftware, the software code can be executed on any suitable processor.It should further be appreciated that any single component or collectionof multiple components of the computer system that perform the functionsdescribed above can be generically considered as one or more controllersthat control the above-discussed functions. The one or more controllerscan be implemented in numerous ways, such as with dedicated hardware, orusing a processor that is programmed using microcode or software toperform the functions recited above.

In this respect, it should be appreciated that one implementation of theembodiments of the present invention comprises at least onecomputer-readable medium (e.g., a computer memory, a floppy disk, acompact disk, a tape, etc.) encoded with a computer program (i.e., aplurality of instructions), which, when executed on a processor,performs the above-discussed functions of the embodiments of the presentinvention. The computer-readable medium can be transportable such thatthe program stored thereon can be loaded onto any computer systemresource to implement the aspects of the present invention discussedherein. In addition, it should be appreciated that the reference to acomputer program which, when executed, performs the above-discussedfunctions, is not limited to an application program running on the hostcomputer. Rather, the term computer program is used herein in a genericsense to reference any type of computer code (e.g., software ormicrocode) that can be employed to program a processor to implement theabove-discussed aspects of the present invention.

Having now described some illustrative embodiments of the invention, itshould be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing ismerely illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way ofexample only. Numerous modifications and other illustrative embodimentsare within the scope of one of ordinary skill in the art and arecontemplated as falling within the scope of the invention. Inparticular, although many of the examples presented herein involvespecific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should beunderstood that those acts and those elements may be combined in otherways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements and featuresdiscussed only in connection with one embodiment are not intended to beexcluded from a similar role in other embodiments. Further, for the oneor more means-plus-function limitations recited in the following claims,the means are not intended to be limited to the means disclosed hereinfor performing the recited function, but are intended to cover in scopeany means, known now or later developed, for performing the recitedfunction.

Use of ordinal terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in theclaims to modify a claim element or the order of such elements do not byitself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim elementover another or the temporal order in which acts of a method areperformed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claimelement having a certain name from another element having a same name(but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements.

1. A method for communicating with a battery, comprising acts of:providing for a single-wire interface to the battery; receiving, at thebattery over the single-wire interface, a request for information froman external system; and transmitting, by the battery to the externalsystem over the single-wire interface, a response to the request; andwherein the battery receives power over the single-wire interface andwherein the act of transmitting comprises an act of transmitting dataover the single-wire interface by interrupting current.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the act of transmitting comprises an actof transmitting data asynchronously.
 3. The method according to claim 1,wherein the act of transmitting comprises an act of transmitting batterymodel type data to the external system.
 4. The method according to claim1, wherein the act of transmitting comprises an act of transmittingserial number data to the external system.
 5. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the act of transmitting comprises an act oftransmitting rating information related to the battery to the externalsystem.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the act oftransmitting comprises an act of transmitting manufacturing data to theexternal system.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the act oftransmitting comprises an act of transmitting a manufacturing date ofthe battery to the external system.
 8. The method according to claim 1,wherein the act of transmitting comprises an act of transmitting batteryconstant data to the external system.
 9. The method according to claim1, wherein the act of transmitting comprises an act of transmittingtemperature data to the external system.
 10. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the act of transmitting comprises an act oftransmitting data relating to a temperature sensor of the battery to theexternal system.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the act oftransmitting comprises an act of transmitting manufacturing data to theexternal system.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein thebattery comprises a resistor used to detect current and wherein the actof transmitting comprises an act of transmitting one or more parametersthat relate to the resistor to the external system.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the act of transmitting comprises an actof transmitting a serial number of the battery to the external system.14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the battery includes aprocessor that executes software and wherein the act of transmittingcomprises an act of transmitting a software identifier of the softwareto the external system.
 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein theact of transmitting comprises an act of transmitting battery type datathat identifies a type of the battery to the external system.
 16. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising an act of storingperformance data relating to the performance of the battery in a memoryof the battery.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the act ofstoring further comprises an act of storing the performance data in anonvolatile memory associated with the battery.
 18. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the external system is a UPS.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising an act of receiving, by amonitor circuit of the battery, power over the single-wire interface.20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising an act ofproviding for communicating to the battery over a single-wire interface,the interface being used to provide power to a monitoring circuit of thebattery.